Books about the history of the game & Collingwood FC

Champions of Collingwood

by Michael Roberts & Glenn McFarlane - this is 125 YEARS, 125 CHAMPIONS, & 125 STORIES.These are the men whose blood, sweat, & heroics have made Collingwood the greatest sporting club in Australia. More than 1200 men have played for the Mighty Magpies. This book, produced to celebrate the club’s 125th anniversary, tells the stories of the 125 greatest players to have pulled on the famous jumper. - BUY IT.

Kill For Collingwood

by Richard Stremski - this book is the somewhat "bible" for Collingwood supporters. If you are in love with the history of the Magpies, then this is a must-read. Very hard to come by, so if you see it, do grab a copy... or borrow it.

The Mightiest Magpies

by Michael Roberts, with Glenn McFarlane - the story behind every Collingwood premiership flag since 1896. One of our favourites & a thoroughly enjoyable & entertaining read.-BUY IT.

A Century of the Best

by Michael Roberts - this book commemorates Collingwood's first 100 years as it looks at the stories of 100 of the Club's most revered gladiators, each of whom has contributed to the very name of collingwood & the fear that would strike in the hearts of opposing players.

“Tradition is only winning premierships: that’s where your tradition comes from.” - Phonse Kyne, premiership coach of the 1953 & 1958 Magpie teams; & Collingwood Team of the Century Forward.

Collingwood at Victoria Park

by Glenn McFarlane & Michael Roberts - this book commemorates 112 years of Victoria Park memories - tracing the ground's development & recalling the many magic moments & champions who guarded the turf along the way. 'Vic Park' hosted the last of its 910 Collingwood matches in 1999. To find Collingwood's heart, you need to look no further than 'Vic Park': it will always be the clubs spiritual home. - BUY IT.

The Barrackers Are Shouting

Edited by Michael Roberts - this book pulls together personal stories from a range of Collingwood fans - some famous, some not - revealing what it means to follow the most loved & most hated of all football clubs. The writers recall their most memorable moments, their favourite players or simply why they love the Pies The stories are rich with emotion, passion & liberal doses of humour. - BUY IT.

Collingwood - A Love Story

by Paul Daley - this book illustrates probably the most romantic tale associated with the Collingwood Football Club. This is the story of the friendship & romance between Doc Seddon, Louie Newby, & Percy Rowe (AKA Paddy Rowan). Set around the time of The Great War (WWI), we follow the journey of the suburb of Collingwood through the Depression & on the football field - it is the time of Federation, street gangs, & legend - the era of Bradman, Phar Lap, & the magnificent Magpie Machine Team of the 1920's & 1930's. This book is a wonderful account of the early days of the suburb & its inhabitants, including John Wren. - BUY IT.

Jock: The Story of Jock McHale - Collingwood's Greatest Coach

The Great Coach.

by Glenn McFarlane - this book examines the life & times of the Great Jock McHale, the most successful coach in VFL history, including his time in charge of The Machine team that won a record four consecutive flags from 1927-1930.- BUY IT.

“This team functions like a machine, where it takes the co-operation of all 18 players on the field, we were able to overcome such barriers & go from 4th last season to 1st this year, & win the 1935 flag.” - Jock McHale.

Power Without Glory

Frank Hardy's controversial novel.

Regarded as a classic Australian novel, Frank Hardy's book is a fictionalised version of the life of Melbourne businessman, Australian Labor Party power-broker, & Collingwood FC founding member, John Wren. It is set in the fictitious Melbourne suburb of Carringbush, which is based on the actual suburbs of Abbotsford & Collingwood. - BUY IT.

The Clubs

Every Club in the VFL/AFL.

by Garrie Hutchinson (the Collingwood section by Michael Roberts) - 'The Clubs' provides the story of each of the VFL/AFL clubs new & old, & features the great teams, the great games, the players, the incidents, & the highs & low of each club as it battles its way through the seasons. - BUY IT.

A Game of Our Own

by Geoffrey Blainey.Has the game changed from its origins? This book documents the birth & evolution of our great national winter sport. Who were the champions of the early days of the colony? How were the first leagues formed? & why as the umpires job so difficult?Journey back to an era when the ground was not oval, when captains acted as umpires, when players wore caps & jerseys bearing forgotten colours kicked a round ball that soon lost its shape.A fascinating story of one of the world's oldest & most dynamic football codes.- BUY IT.

100 Years of Australian Football

by John Ross

by John Ross & various authors - This book marks & celebrates the 100 year anniversary of our indigenous footballing code - Australian Rules football. Many readers will discover why the old time champions were household names in their day, & how they played the game. Readers will also discover something of how the game has evolved through the decades into the highly skilled, action packed, professional sport that it is today. - BUY IT.

Side by Side "In the Beginning" - Children's book

Side by Side "Shoulder to Shoulder" - Children's book

Also by Neridah McMullin, & Ainsley Walters - an excellent introduction for kids to learn about the history of the suburb & the Club. This 44 page book is introduction to young Collingwood fans:- it is the tale of a young boy Tom in 1935, who goes to watch the Collingwood team train. This book is a fantastic to explain to children how important the Collingwood Team has become throughout the years. - BUY IT.

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